Paul Hollywood apologises for ‘thoughtless’ diabetes joke on The Great British Bake Off

Presenter drew criticism on Twitter for his remarks about a contestant’s Chelsea buns

Paul Hollywood has apologised for a “thoughtless” joke he made about diabetes during The Great British Bake Off semi-final.

The presenter was criticised on Twitter for a comment he made about one contestant’s Chelsea buns, saying they looked like “diabetes on a plate”.

Fans complained about the “appalling” and “ignorant” remark, claiming it reinforced false beliefs that diabetes comes from eating too much sugar.

"Will be making a formal complaint to @Channel4 about @PaulHollywood saying “diabetes on a plate” on #GBBO," wrote one viewer. "It’s these comments that I fight everyday as a type 1 diabetic with no prevention and no cure."

After Tuesday night’s episode, Hollywood apologised for the comment in an Instagram post, writing: “A sweet treat, Chelsea buns ... a remark re:- diabetes I made on tonight’s show was thoughtless and I meant no harm, as both my grandad and my own mother suffer/ suffered from diabetes... apologies X.”

Three contestants now remain in the competition, with The Great British Bake Off final airing on Tuesday 29 October at 8pm on Channel 4.